'If it's to be, it's up to me': Katie Holmes posts inspirational quote from friend she met while touring a South African charity

It wasn't all work for Katie Holmes while shooting The Giver in South Africa.

She also made some friends during a day trip to a local charity.

On Wednesday the single mother posted photos from a visit to The Lalela Project in Cape Town with the expression, 'If It's to be, it's up to me.'

Doing good: On Wednesday Katie Holmes posted a tweet about her visit to the Cape Town charity The Lalela Project

In her caption she credited the expression as coming from new pal Melikhaya, who stand to her left in the snap.

The center gives children affected by extreme poverty the chance to be creative through art projects.

Dressed in jeans and a sweater, and with sunglasses resting on her head, she glowed as she put her arm around Melikhaya and a female friend in a rural setting populated by Eucalyptus trees and a makeshift fence.

Making new friends: The actress was photographed with nearly 50 members of the project, which aims to inspire poverty stricken youth

The former Mrs Tom Cruise also took a group photo with almost 50 of the Lalela Project's members.

Katie is difficult to spot as she sits among the sea of people.

In her caption she wrote, 'Thank u Lalela project for having me.... your talent and determination is an inspiration.'

Her daughter Suri, aged seven, did not seem to be present. On Tuesday she was spotted dressed in a down jacket and tights with Katie's mother in New York City.

Katie's time in South Africa seems to be over as on Thursday she was seen solo about to take off from a Cape Town airport with several pieces of luggage.

She has yet to be seen stateside.

Katie has a bit of planning to do. Not only is Christmas around the corner, but she has a birthday on December 18. The Dawson's Creek cutie will be turning 35.

Her next film project is reportedly Responsible Adults with Chace Crawford, but no start date has been given for that film.

Ready for takeoff: The beauty was seen at a Cape Town airport on Thursday

Bonding with grandma: Suri was seen with Katie's mother in NYC on Wednesday